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Minutes are using data?!

I have been researching how freedom pop works and understand that it is all over data. I read on this forum that both minutes and text go over data. What I am confused about is how I don't seem to have unlimited minutes and text because once I run out of data it will shut off I believe. The minutes and text are using data and I am not getting it back. I was under the impression based off of other various posts that data used for minutes and text are credited back. Is this not the case? If so then it is misleading to sell "unlimited" talk and text if it is in fact not so. Am I missing something?

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I have been researching how freedom pop works and understand that it is all over data. I read on this forum that both minutes and text go over data. What I am confused about is how I don't seem to have unlimited minutes and text because once I run out of data it will shut off I believe. The minutes and text are using data and I am not getting it back. I was under the impression based off of other various posts that data used for minutes and text are credited back. Is this not the case? If so then it is misleading to sell "unlimited" talk and text if it is in fact not so. Am I missing something?

You would be surprised at the amount of Data used when placing a call on a VOIP app. Most VOIP vendors, I am sure also use some type of compression software that takes even less data when making a call. Any company that uses apps like this has to, or they would lose money. These are just averages and something to think about-

450 minutes of talk on 4G LTE is around 75mbs total. So the average per minute is .166mbs.

450 minutes of talk on 3g CDMA is around 563mbs. So the Average Per minute is 1.25mbs.

Best to just use .71 mbs per minutes for 4G/3G with no compression software.

FreedomPop’s Compression software (when used) equals out to .65mbs per min 3g and .05 per min 4g (average), its best to just use this average--> (4G/3G at ".35mbs per min). Just a tiny amount is used. It takes more data just to have the app installed and running.

Data used when texting is so small its not even worth counting. Of course there will be data also used when you send a picture, or file.

On Data(3G/4G) and the FreedomPop app, when using the app for Calling only. The app Blacklist the Data from coming out of your account.Please keep in mind, they are not including the data used for having the app on the phone, which can use 7mbs to 15 mbs per hour depending on Speed, this will be taken from your allotted data plan with FreedomPop.

Calls are Blacklisted from using Data. So if you make a 15 min call, the data used would normally be 2.5mbs on 4G/HSPA+ or 19mbs on 3G/2g Edge. That data would not be taken out of your allotted monthly amount. It will still take 15 mins out of the 200 Minutes of the calls you have, just will not charge you data.

On WiFi and the FreedomPop App. Connected to Wifi and you save any Data you would normally use connected to 4G/3G. Making a Call on Wifi will not take any Data. Making a 15 minute call on wifi, will take away from your 200 minutes.

FreedomPop Recommends you connect to Home wifi any chance you can to save on the allotted Data. Most user have home wifi, they connect to at home. On Average a user will be connect to home wifi 75% of the time. The other 25% is used when away from home on Data(4G/3G).Members with no Home wifi system will eventually use up the data faster on the Free Plan. If you have No Home wifi, I recommend a plan around 1Gb or more.

This is the part that can be confusing. To have the app installed on your phone, it will take data to operate like any other app. Basic App Operation, because an app need Data to use, will average 8-15mbs an Hour on Standby. Texting uses so small of Data, it is hardly noticeable. This is why it is also important to connect to wifi any chance you can. Basic Operation will take from the allotted data plan on 4G/3G, but not on Wifi. Alot of the time, this data will get confused for the data taking out of a call. So even if the app blacklist the data from being used with calls. You still have data being used on the app operation, texting.

Let me know if you have any questions

Hope all is well,NJ

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Answers

Yeah, you're right, FP's phone are VoIP phones, data phones, you load a app and run it to make calls.Don't know what you mean by, 'The minutes and text are using data and I am not getting it back.', but each month starts over.FP has a 'top over' plan, but the best advice I think, would be to text for someone to call you.Also from what you said about voice and data, you could use up both in one call, but ten 20 min. calls a month, I wonder how much data that would burn up with the basic plan ?

I think I understand. I noticed that they did credit some data back, out of 74mb they credited 8mb back. The usage was shown as 20mb x3 and one at 14. I do think it is kinda bull to count their own apps usage against you.

njfulwider5 said that, not sure incoming calls are counted and you need to test for yourself.I use their devices and byod's, with some tinkering they work fine.So is free, really free, or misleading ?

(I mentioned, i was unsure if min are counted when someone calls me on my FreedomPop Phone, because you asked if minutes was counted "in Bound". The Reason->, all my phone use unlimited Talk and text and I don't have a phone to test.) But, if you have a phone on the Free plan, you can call yourself from a landline to test. Once you call yourself, post your result here. I have heard rumors that call don't counts.

Its sounds like Nicolas Freeland is more concern with the data usage. I 100% agree with him, on the data usage. You would think It would also be free, unfortunately, its really hard to whitelist a app from using data without crediting constantly. The Data usage is minimal, unless you do not have a home wifi network. Users normally stay connect to the home network around 70%-80% of the time. If you don't have a home network, Than the Free plan may not be for you(depending on how and when you use your phone). I also created a huge post on data usage, when I figured out the usage on the app. I will go through my notes and see if I can find and post here. I have some pretty good info on the data used on Android, Hotspots and cellular data. Great way to figure out how much data you would need. Me and my family have found that the Free Data, plus Freedom Friends, and gifting each other data is plenty with Unlimited talk and text. We normally have data left over, way over half. But we all have different habits, this is just what works for me and my family. I'll find the info and post it here a little later.

Hope all is well,NJ

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